Adelia Caroline Joy, a celebrated teacher, was the second child and younger daughter of Rev. Amariah Joy and Louisa Dwelley. She was born in the house called Fleetwood, at Kennebunk, Maine, Feb. 29th, 1844. Though occasionally called "Delia" and "Ada", she was most often known to her family by the name "Dee."
Of her early youth in New England, an aunt recalled: "She was very pretty and attractive and her mother often sent her from the room when there were callers that she might not hear the indiscreet remarks often made about her lovely eyes, her curly hair, etc." In addition to beauty, Adelia possessed a rare intelligence. In everything she was inquisitive; art, literature, science, religion and politics all fascinated her. Even as a young child she would delve into chemistry experiments, and read extensively. So perhaps it was not so unusual that at the youthful age of 14 she began her teaching career, in the country schools of Ohio, where her family then lived. In order to obtain a higher education for herself, she entered the Young Ladies Institute, later called Shepardson College, in Granville, Ohio, graduating in 1866 and later acquiring an additional degree. She next taught successfully in high schools in Jerseyville, Illinois, and in the city of Indianapolis.
In 1871, Mrs. Frances Shimer, founder of a girl’s school in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, requested that Adelia assist her for a year at Mt. Carroll; she agreed, and eventually stayed twenty-five years, serving as principal and then caring for the aging Mrs. Shimer, who became her greatest friend. They sold their school to the University of Chicago in 1896, then left for DeLand, Florida, where Mrs. Shimer died in 1901.
Adelia remained in DeLand, and became active in the community’s affairs. Particularly appalled at the plight of the black population there, she served as a driving force in "The Auxiliary Society of the Colored People’s Forward Movement," renting a room for their office, and assisting in the establishment of a foundation and an industrial school.
On Oct. 11th, 1903, overcome by illness and exhausted by years of teaching and serving others, she died in the home of her sister in Iowa, at the age of only fifty-nine. Adelia was a much beloved member of the family, and greatly admired by all who knew her. In 1904 former students and associates published a memorial book of her life and accomplishments. She is buried in Davenport, Iowa.
Posted 03 Jan 2010 by cmhuntley
Of her early youth in New England, an aunt recalled: "She was very pretty and attractive and her mother often sent her from the room when there were callers that she might not hear the indiscreet remarks often made about her lovely eyes, her curly hair, etc." In addition to beauty, Adelia possessed a rare intelligence. In everything she was inquisitive; art, literature, science, religion and politics all fascinated her. Even as a young child she would delve into chemistry experiments, and read extensively. So perhaps it was not so unusual that at the youthful age of 14 she began her teaching career, in the country schools of Ohio, where her family then lived. In order to obtain a higher education for herself, she entered the Young Ladies Institute, later called Shepardson College, in Granville, Ohio, graduating in 1866 and later acquiring an additional degree. She next taught successfully in high schools in Jerseyville, Illinois, and in the city of Indianapolis.
In 1871, Mrs. Frances Shimer, founder of a girl’s school in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, requested that Adelia assist her for a year at Mt. Carroll; she agreed, and eventually stayed twenty-five years, serving as principal and then caring for the aging Mrs. Shimer, who became her greatest friend. They sold their school to the University of Chicago in 1896, then left for DeLand, Florida, where Mrs. Shimer died in 1901.
Adelia remained in DeLand, and became active in the community’s affairs. Particularly appalled at the plight of the black population there, she served as a driving force in "The Auxiliary Society of the Colored People’s Forward Movement," renting a room for their office, and assisting in the establishment of a foundation and an industrial school.
On Oct. 11th, 1903, overcome by illness and exhausted by years of teaching and serving others, she died in the home of her sister in Iowa, at the age of only fifty-nine. Adelia was a much beloved member of the family, and greatly admired by all who knew her. In 1904 former students and associates published a memorial book of her life and accomplishments. She is buried in Davenport, Iowa.
Posted 03 Jan 2010 by cmhuntley
Adelia Caroline Joy, a celebrated teacher, was the second child and younger daughter of Rev. Amariah Joy and Louisa Dwelley. She was born in the house called Fleetwood, at Kennebunk, Maine, Feb. 29th, 1844. Though occasionally called "Delia" and "Ada", she was most often known to her family by the name "Dee."
Of her early youth in New England, an aunt recalled: "She was very pretty and attractive and her mother often sent her from the room when there were callers that she might not hear the indiscreet remarks often made about her lovely eyes, her curly hair, etc." In addition to beauty, Adelia possessed a rare intelligence. In everything she was inquisitive; art, literature, science, religion and politics all fascinated her. Even as a young child she would delve into chemistry experiments, and read extensively. So perhaps it was not so unusual that at the youthful age of 14 she began her teaching career, in the country schools of Ohio, where her family then lived. In order to obtain a higher education for herself, she entered the Young Ladies Institute, later called Shepardson College, in Granville, Ohio, graduating in 1866 and later acquiring an additional degree. She next taught successfully in high schools in Jerseyville, Illinois, and in the city of Indianapolis.
In 1871, Mrs. Frances Shimer, founder of a girl’s school in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, requested that Adelia assist her for a year at Mt. Carroll; she agreed, and eventually stayed twenty-five years, serving as principal and then caring for the aging Mrs. Shimer, who became her greatest friend. They sold their school to the University of Chicago in 1896, then left for DeLand, Florida, where Mrs. Shimer died in 1901.
Adelia remained in DeLand, and became active in the community’s affairs. Particularly appalled at the plight of the black population there, she served as a driving force in "The Auxiliary Society of the Colored People’s Forward Movement," renting a room for their office, and assisting in the establishment of a foundation and an industrial school.
On Oct. 11th, 1903, overcome by illness and exhausted by years of teaching and serving others, she died in the home of her sister in Iowa, at the age of only fifty-nine. Adelia was a much beloved member of the family, and greatly admired by all who knew her. In 1904 former students and associates published a memorial book of her life and accomplishments. She is buried in Davenport, Iowa.
Posted 03 Jan 2010 by cmhuntley
Of her early youth in New England, an aunt recalled: "She was very pretty and attractive and her mother often sent her from the room when there were callers that she might not hear the indiscreet remarks often made about her lovely eyes, her curly hair, etc." In addition to beauty, Adelia possessed a rare intelligence. In everything she was inquisitive; art, literature, science, religion and politics all fascinated her. Even as a young child she would delve into chemistry experiments, and read extensively. So perhaps it was not so unusual that at the youthful age of 14 she began her teaching career, in the country schools of Ohio, where her family then lived. In order to obtain a higher education for herself, she entered the Young Ladies Institute, later called Shepardson College, in Granville, Ohio, graduating in 1866 and later acquiring an additional degree. She next taught successfully in high schools in Jerseyville, Illinois, and in the city of Indianapolis.
In 1871, Mrs. Frances Shimer, founder of a girl’s school in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, requested that Adelia assist her for a year at Mt. Carroll; she agreed, and eventually stayed twenty-five years, serving as principal and then caring for the aging Mrs. Shimer, who became her greatest friend. They sold their school to the University of Chicago in 1896, then left for DeLand, Florida, where Mrs. Shimer died in 1901.
Adelia remained in DeLand, and became active in the community’s affairs. Particularly appalled at the plight of the black population there, she served as a driving force in "The Auxiliary Society of the Colored People’s Forward Movement," renting a room for their office, and assisting in the establishment of a foundation and an industrial school.
On Oct. 11th, 1903, overcome by illness and exhausted by years of teaching and serving others, she died in the home of her sister in Iowa, at the age of only fifty-nine. Adelia was a much beloved member of the family, and greatly admired by all who knew her. In 1904 former students and associates published a memorial book of her life and accomplishments. She is buried in Davenport, Iowa.
Posted 03 Jan 2010 by cmhuntley
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